Job 17:13

KJV

If I wait, the grave [is] mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness.

KJV (with Strong's)

If I wait {H6960}, the grave {H7585} is mine house {H1004}: I have made {H7502} my bed {H3326} in the darkness {H2822}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"If I hope for Sh'ol to be my house; if I spread my couch in the dark;

Berean Standard Bible

If I look for Sheol as my home, if I spread out my bed in darkness,

American Standard Version

If I look for Sheol as my house; If I have spread my couch in the darkness;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 17:13 encapsulates the patriarch's profound despair and resignation in the face of relentless suffering and the accusations of his friends. Having lost everything and finding no relief or vindication in life, Job articulates a grim future where his only solace and anticipated dwelling place is the grave, a final resting spot in the oblivion of darkness. This verse powerfully conveys his complete detachment from earthly hope, viewing death not as an end to be feared, but as a longed-for escape from his unbearable torment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 17:13 is situated within Job's third cycle of speeches, specifically following his lament in chapter 16 and preceding further pleas to God and reflections on the brevity of life. At this point, Job has largely given up on receiving comfort or understanding from his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, whose arguments have only deepened his isolation and despair. His words in this chapter, and particularly in verse 13, mark a pivotal moment where his hope for earthly vindication or recovery has completely evaporated. He has moved beyond merely wishing for death, as seen in [Job 3](/job/3 "Job's Initial Lament"), to actively embracing the grave as his inevitable and desired future, a stark contrast to the divine justice and restoration he initially sought. This verse is a raw expression of a soul pushed to its absolute limit, finding no light in the present and only darkness in the perceived future.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the grave (Sheol in Hebrew thought) was generally conceived as a shadowy, silent realm of the dead, a place of no return where all, regardless of status, eventually descended. There was a pervasive sense of finality and often a lack of vibrant hope for a personal afterlife or resurrection, especially in earlier periods of Israelite thought, though glimpses of a future hope emerge (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalms/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - Hope of Resurrection")). For someone like Job, a wealthy and respected patriarch, the idea of the grave becoming his "house" was particularly poignant, signifying a complete loss of his earthly status, family, and home. The cultural expectation was for a long life, many descendants, and prosperity as signs of divine favor, all of which Job had lost. His embrace of the grave as his dwelling reflects a profound subversion of these cultural norms, indicating a suffering so immense that the ultimate taboo (death) becomes a desired refuge.
* **Key Themes:** Job 17:13 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Job. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Profound Despair and Human Suffering**, showcasing the depths of anguish a righteous individual can experience when confronted with inexplicable calamity and divine silence. Job's longing for the grave underscores the human tendency to seek escape from unbearable pain, even if that escape is death. Secondly, the verse highlights the **Nature of the Grave and Death** in Old Testament thought, portraying it as a final, dark dwelling place, yet paradoxically, for Job, a place of desired rest from his torment. This contrasts sharply with the later, more developed biblical understanding of a living hope beyond the grave, as seen in Job's own declaration in [Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job 19:25 - Job's Redeemer Lives"). Finally, it subtly touches upon the theme of **Divine Justice and Theodicy**, as Job's resignation to death is a direct consequence of his inability to reconcile his suffering with God's righteousness, a central tension throughout the book.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Grave (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** This term (H7585) refers to Hades or the world of the dead, often understood as a subterranean retreat. It encompasses the general realm of the dead, including its accessories and inmates, and is distinct from a mere physical burial place. For Job, declaring Sheol as his "house" signifies a complete resignation to the realm of the departed, not just a physical tomb. It emphasizes the ultimate, unseen destination of all humanity, a place of silence and separation from the living, which Job now embraces as his only anticipated dwelling.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** Literally meaning "house" or "home" (H1004), this word carries deep connotations of belonging, security, and permanence. For Job to declare the grave as his "house" is a powerful and poignant metaphor. It signifies a complete reversal of his earthly status and aspirations. His actual home, once filled with family and prosperity, is gone. Now, the only "home" he can conceive of is the realm of the dead, suggesting a profound detachment from life and an embrace of death as his ultimate and only dwelling. It implies a settling in, a permanent residence, rather than a temporary stay.
* **Darkness (Hebrew, _chôshek'_):** This word (H2822) denotes physical darkness, but frequently in the Old Testament, it carries strong metaphorical weight, symbolizing misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, and wickedness. For Job, making his "bed in the darkness" signifies not just the literal lack of light in the grave, but also the profound spiritual and emotional gloom that envelops him. It represents the absence of life, joy, hope, and divine favor, a complete surrender to the bleakest possible existence, where death offers the only perceived solace.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I wait,"**: The Hebrew verb here is _qâvâh_ (H6960), which typically means "to bind together," "to collect," or figuratively, "to expect" or "to wait." While it can convey hopeful anticipation in other contexts (e.g., waiting for the Lord), in Job's mouth, this "waiting" is imbued with a deep sense of resignation and despair. He is not waiting for recovery or vindication from God or his friends; rather, his only remaining "hope" or expectation is for the inevitable arrival of death. It's an ironic twist on the concept of hope, where the ultimate end of life becomes the only thing worth anticipating.
* **"the grave [is] mine house:"**: This clause presents a stark and powerful metaphor. Job declares Sheol, the general realm of the dead, as his permanent dwelling. This is not a casual statement but a profound declaration of his perceived future. It signifies that he no longer sees himself as belonging to the world of the living, nor does he anticipate any return to his former life or home. The grave has become his only refuge, a place of finality where his suffering will cease. It underscores his complete surrender to the prospect of death as his ultimate destiny and desired haven.
* **"I have made my bed in the darkness."**: This is a continuation of the metaphor, emphasizing Job's active resignation and preparation for death. To "make one's bed" implies settling down for rest, comfort, and a prolonged stay. By doing so "in the darkness," Job reinforces the idea that his chosen resting place is the realm of death, devoid of light, life, and joy. This isn't a passive acceptance of fate but an intentional embrace of the end. The darkness symbolizes not only the literal gloom of the tomb but also the profound spiritual and emotional desolation that has consumed him, where death offers the only perceived solace.

#### Literary Devices
Job 17:13 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional impact and theological depth. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Job equates the grave with his "house" and the act of dying with "making his bed in the darkness." These metaphors powerfully convey his complete resignation and the transformation of death from a feared end into a desired dwelling. The phrase "the grave is mine house" is a striking example of **Identification**, where two dissimilar things are declared to be one, highlighting Job's profound detachment from life. There is also a strong sense of **Pathos**, as Job's raw expression of despair elicits pity and empathy from the reader. The entire verse functions as a form of **Lament**, a common biblical genre where an individual expresses deep sorrow and complaint, often to God, though here it is more of a resignation to his fate. Finally, there is a subtle **Irony** in Job's "waiting" and "making his bed," as these actions typically imply hopeful anticipation or comfortable rest, yet here they are directed towards the ultimate cessation of life, revealing the depth of his suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 17:13 stands as a poignant testament to the depths of human despair when suffering is prolonged, inexplicable, and seemingly without end. Theologically, it highlights the Old Testament's wrestling with the nature of death and the afterlife, often portraying the grave as a shadowy, silent realm. Yet, even within this bleak outlook, the verse sets the stage for the book's larger exploration of hope beyond immediate circumstances. Job's longing for the grave, while born of agony, paradoxically foreshadows the ultimate biblical truth that death is not the final word, and that true rest and "home" are found not in the earth, but in God's presence. It underscores the universal human yearning for relief from suffering and the profound need for a hope that transcends the limitations of earthly existence and the inevitability of the tomb.

* [Psalm 88:3-5](/psalms/88-3 "A Prayer from the Depths of Sheol")
* [Ecclesiastes 9:10](/ecclesiastes/9-10 "Ecclesiastes 9:10 - No Work or Knowledge in Sheol")
* [Isaiah 38:18-19](/isaiah/38-18 "The Dead Cannot Praise God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job's raw and unfiltered expression of despair in Job 17:13 offers a profound space for reflection on the human experience of suffering. It reminds us that even individuals of profound faith can reach points of utter hopelessness, where death appears as the only viable escape from overwhelming pain. This verse validates the reality of such dark nights of the soul, urging us not to dismiss or spiritualize away genuine anguish. Instead, it calls for deep empathy and compassion for those who are suffering, encouraging us to sit with them in their pain, much like Job's friends initially did before their judgmental pronouncements. Furthermore, it highlights the critical importance of a robust, biblically grounded hope that extends beyond the grave, a hope that can anchor the soul when all earthly anchors have failed. Job's later declaration of a living Redeemer ([Job 19:25](/job/19-25 "Job's Redeemer Lives")) serves as a powerful counterpoint, reminding us that even in the deepest pits of despair, God's redemptive plan offers a future far brighter than any "bed in the darkness."

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Job's longing for the grave resonate with or challenge your understanding of suffering and hope?**
* **In what ways might we, like Job's friends, inadvertently deepen the despair of others through our words or assumptions?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the importance of acknowledging and validating profound emotional pain, even in ourselves or those we minister to?**
* **How does the Christian hope of resurrection transform our perspective on the "grave as our house" and "making our bed in the darkness"?**

### FAQ
**Does Job's statement mean he has lost his faith in God?**

Answer: While Job's statement in [Job 17:13](/job/17-13 "Job 17:13 - Job's Despair") certainly reflects profound despair and a complete loss of hope in earthly recovery, it does not necessarily indicate a total abandonment of faith in God. Throughout the book, even in his most desperate moments, Job continues to address God, lament to Him, and even demand an audience with Him. His "faith" is not a naive, unshakeable optimism, but a wrestling, agonizing, and often angry engagement with a God whose actions he cannot comprehend. He is not denying God's existence or power, but rather questioning His justice and presence in his suffering. This verse is an expression of his human limit, a cry of utter weariness, rather than a theological renunciation. Indeed, later in [Job 19:25-27](/job/19-25-27 "Job 19:25-27 - Job's Declaration of a Living Redeemer"), Job famously declares his belief in a living Redeemer who will vindicate him, even after his death, demonstrating that his core faith, though severely tested, remained.

**Is it wrong for a believer to feel such profound despair or wish for death?**

Answer: Job's experience, as depicted in [Job 17:13](/job/17-13 "Job 17:13 - Job's Despair") and elsewhere, demonstrates that even righteous individuals can experience the deepest forms of despair and a longing for death as an escape from unbearable suffering. The Bible does not shy away from portraying the full spectrum of human emotions, including profound grief, anger, and hopelessness. Figures like Elijah ([1 Kings 19:4](/1_kings/19-4 "1 Kings 19:4 - Elijah's Despair")) and Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 20:14-18](/jeremiah/20-14-18 "Jeremiah 20:14-18 - Jeremiah's Woe")) also expressed wishes for death. These passages validate the reality of such feelings and remind us that they are part of the human condition in a fallen world. While such feelings are painful and can be dangerous if acted upon, acknowledging them is the first step toward seeking help and finding hope. The biblical narrative encourages us to bring all our emotions, even the darkest ones, before God, who understands our weakness and offers comfort and strength.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 17:13, with its stark imagery of the grave as one's only house and darkness as a permanent bed, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's desperate longing for death as an escape from suffering foreshadows the ultimate suffering of the [Son of Man](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Son of Man Came to Serve"), who willingly embraced the cross, entering the very depths of human pain and death. Unlike Job, who longed for the grave out of despair, Jesus entered the grave not as a victim, but as a victor. He made His "bed in the darkness" of the tomb for three days, not in resignation, but in triumph, conquering death and the power of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")). His resurrection from the dead fundamentally transforms the meaning of the grave for believers. No longer is it the final "house" of despair, but a temporary resting place, a gateway to eternal life with God ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Through Christ, the "darkness" of death is overcome by the [Light of the World](/john/8-12 "John 8:12 - Jesus, the Light of the World"), and the Christian's ultimate "home" is not the grave, but the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more death, sorrow, or pain ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Mourning")). Job's cry of despair is met and answered by the living hope of Christ's victory over the very realities that tormented Job.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 139:8

If I ascend up into heaven, thou [art] there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou [art there].

Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Job 17:1

¶ My breath is corrupt, my days are extinct, the graves [are ready] for me.

Job 14:14

If a man die, shall he live [again]? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.

Lamentations 3:25

The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

Lamentations 3:26

[It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

Job 3:13

For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,